The Seattle Seahawks offense will look brand new this season under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, new starting quarterback Sam Darnold, and new wide receiver Cooper Kupp. One spot that, in theory, should remain the same is the starting running back position. For the past three seasons, that role has belonged to Kenneth Walker III, but now one former NFL QB believes Walker’s job could be in jeopardy.
On Seattle Sports 710 AM’s “Brock & Salk” show, Former Seahawks backup QB and current radio host Brock Huard discussed Walker’s prospects as the starting running back for the Seahawks. Seattle Sports’ Cameron Van Til transcribed Huard’s thoughts on the running back situation.
“Zach Charbonnet is gonna start versus the 49ers Week 1 at home,” Huard said. “And that’s not an inside source. … That’s just taking in all of this information, and it’s doing the Mike Macdonald thing: you pay off the guys that earn it. Zach Charbonnet has earned this.”
Huard then continued, highlighting that this is an opportunity for Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald to assert his leadership.
“When you’re talking about asserting yourself as a leader, that’s what Mike Macdonald wants in every one of his position groups,” Huard said. “And a guy that’s available, a guy that posts. … I think you’ve gotta give the guy what he’s earned. Zach Charbonnet will be the starter Week 1 versus San Francisco.”
Walker’s extensive injury history has opened the door for this conversation to be had.
Staying on the Field
Kenneth Walker III is entering his fourth season in the NFL, and he has yet to play a full regular season. Walker’s best season rushing came in his rookie year, where he rushed for 1,095 yards, averaged 4.6 yards per carry, and scored nine touchdowns in 15 games. Since then, Walker’s numbers have been in a downward trend every subsequent season. Last season, Walker had his worst year. He played in 12 games, rushing for 542 yards at 3.7 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns.
Through his three NFL seasons, Walker has missed 10 games, and coming into this pivotal season for him, he has missed several recent training camp practices due to a sore foot. However, Seahawks team website writer John Boyle has said, “Walker has looked explosive and run without any limits on the days he does practice, but the Seahawks are making an effort not to overload him heading into the season.”
Walker’s absence seems to be part of a plan to manage his health coming into the season, as confirmed by head coach Mike Macdonald at his press conference on Monday, when Macdonald said, “We have a plan for Ken, and we’re sticking to the plan.” Walker’s absence has given another running back the opportunity to step up.
Zach Charbonnet’s Dual Threat Abilities
Zach Charbonett, in his two seasons as the Seahawks’ backup running back, has given the team a dual threat capability in a way that Kenneth Walker III has yet to display in his career so far. Last season, Charbonett had 42 catches for 340 yards and averaged 8.1 yards per catch.
Having a receiving running back will be important to the Seahawks’ offense and give a safety valve to quarterback Sam Darnold. Last season on the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold’s lead running back Aaron Jones reeled 51 catches for 408 yards. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has stated that it is crucial for his running backs to also produce in the receiving game. In February, Kubiak joined Seattle Sports’ “Bump and Stacy” to discuss his expectations with his running backs. The conversation was transcribed for Seattle Sports by Zac Hereth.
“I think for us to be successful, we got to ask a lot of our backs in the pass game,” Kubiak said. “We’re definitely gonna ask a lot of them to run the football, but using them in screens, motioning them out into empty (formations), and just getting them touches however that is. But I think that’s what excites me about working with especially (Walker) and Charbonnet is their ability to catch football.”
Charbonnet’s dual-threat abilities, combined with Walker’s questionable health, could see Charbonnet leading Seattle’s backfield in 2025.
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